Welcome to a slightly different looking weekly email! There are many Havurah Happenings coming up. We'd love to see you at these events.
Please feel free to stop by my office and say hello! You can also send any questions or concerns to brad@havurahshalom.org. I'm looking forward to meeting you all!
All the best,
Brad Pector
Communications and Membership Coordinator
503-248-4662 ext. 4
This Week
Support Lift Up Portland Tomorrow! Thursday, August 22nd, 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm, Montgomery Park 2701 NW Vaughn
Support Lift Urban Portland feeds low-income neighbors in northwest and downtown Portland. This annual fundraiser features treats by Elephants and Baker & Spice, silent and live auctions, and entertainment. Get to know more about an organization that Havurah supports and that provided more than 100,000 meals last year. Casual dress. Easy parking. Good cause. Tickets are $65. Find out more at www.lifturbanportland.org.
Upcoming Community Minyan Saturday, August 24th, 10:00 am
This Saturday's leaders and leyners include Roger Brewer, Ken Lerner, Harriet Cooke, Tivona Reith, Becky Chiao, Barbara Slader, Sam Sirkin, and Marty Brown. In this week’s Torah portion, Ekev, Moses tells the Israelites that if they obey God’s commandments, the nations across the Jordan won’t harm them and the land will overflow with milk and honey. The Israelites also learn that they will need to dispossess the people there so they won't be tempted to turn away from God.
Special Kiddush Lunch After Community Minyan Saturday, August 24th, 12:15 pm
Dick Mastbrook is hosting a special kiddush lunch at Havurah to celebrate his 90th birthday! Please come celebrate with us after services. This event has no cost.
RSVP: arleenslive@gmail.com
Book Group: The Way to Spring Tuesday, Aug. 27th, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
The Way to the Spring: Life and Death in Palestine - Ben Ehrenreich, a novelist and writer for publications such as the New York Times Magazine and Harpers, lived in a West Bank village and documented its struggle against the Occupation. For this remarkable work of journalism, he received the National Magazine Award. Discussion led by David Newman at Havurah.
Inside Havurah
Celebrate 40 Years of Havurah Shabbat School with Us
Let’s hear and see your reflections! On November 23rd, 4:00 pm, we will look back and marvel on 40 years of our unique and amazing family cooperative Jewish education model, while envisioning our future. Will you share some reflections, recollections, photos, memories of the Shabbat School experience for you, your children, your family? Deborah and Brad (Havurah’s new Communications and Membership Coordinator) will create a short film for our celebration. You can find out more by clicking here.
Add Your Voice to the High Holidays!
Havurahniks, we invite you to add your voice to our prayer and celebration at High Holidays this year by submitting a “mini-drash” or kavanah to be included in our services. These short reflections or sharing of life experience, 2-3 minutes long, can be either in response to this year’s theme “Hineinu” or connected to the annual themes of teshuvah (returning / renewal / repentance) or forgiveness. The writing can be your own, or it can be a reading that expresses something true for you.
Send to rachel.pollak@havurahshalom.org with the subject line “Mini-drash 2019”.
Join Us for Dorot Shabbat Friday, September 6th, 6:00 pm Service, 6:45 Potluck Dinner
Please join us for a casual, family-friendly, and music-filled service. Beginning with candle lighting, Kiddush and challah, the service continues with prayers and music, followed by a vegetarian potluck dinner. RSVP here by Sept 4th.
Kabbalat Shabbat Is Quickly Approaching! Friday, September 13th, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Join us for a catered vegetarian dinner on September 13th at 6:30 pm, followed by a short, musical service at 7:30 pm. RSVP for the dinner by Sunday, September 8th. For cost adjustments, call 503-248-4662 ext. 2. No RSVP is required for the service portion. Childcare is provided.
Learn About the Upcoming Global Climate Strikes! Saturday, Sept 14th, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm at Havurah
The Havurah Climate Action Team invites you to attend an informational event about the Sept 20th & 27th Global Climate Strikes. We will hear from student climate activists, the Sunrise Movement, and other organizers about the upcoming strikes. This is a great opportunity to learn more and get questions answered. The strikes will be huge, international events focusing on the Climate Emergency and the lack of action to address the biggest crisis facing humanity. Students, parents, and others will strike from school and work to attend protests.
Hashiveinu: Musical and Spiritual Preparation for the Days of Returning Thursdays, Sept. 12th, 19th, 26th, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm at Havurah
We will interweave singing High Holiday melodies with reflecting upon and discussing the themes and meaning of this sacred time. Everyone is welcome, whether or not you consider yourself a singer. Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin and others. RSVP here.
RSVP for Rabbi’s Contemplative Practice and Walk in the Forest Sunday, September 15th, 7:00 am, Lower Macleay Park
We will gather in Lower Macleay Park in the early morning, beginning with some chanting then walking mindfully along the trail. In the midst of this month of Elul, we will access teachings and intentions from the tradition to direct us toward teshuvah, the returning and renewal of this season. This will be a very short hike at a gentle pace. We will conclude by 8:30 am. Contact Rabbi Benjamin with questions. Click here to RSVP by Sept. 8th.
Have a Question About Havurah?
The Transparency and Inclusivity Committee welcomes your questions! We will find the answer and publish the question (but not the questioner) and answer in an upcoming Hakol. It is our intention at Havurah that what you know and understand about our congregation should not be a function of who you know. If you find yourself wondering about something related to Havurah, or if someone shares their question with you, we hope you will send your question to transparency@havurahshalom.org.
In June's Hakol, the question dealt with the issue of Havurah's growth. Our current co-presidents were interviewed to provide an answer.
Please use this form to submit stories for this weekly community email. Submissions are due by noon on Tuesday each week.
Havurah Shalom is a vibrant, diverse, participatory Jewish community steeped in Jewish values promoting spirituality, learning, and acts of social responsibility.
(HYB) Steering Meeting on July 15 Tuesday, Jul 15th 6:30p to 8:30p **Our Steering Meeting this month will be held on Tuesday, July 15 instead of on the usual day (second Tuesdays).** Steering members and staff will meet to consider matters of governance. All Havurah Shalom members are invited to attend Steering Committee meetings. For Zoom join links, visit havurahshalom.org/zoom (must be logged in) or call the office in advance for assistance (503-248-4662).
Shabbat Morning with Bat Mitzvah of Sylvia Hartman Shabbat, Jul 19th 10:00a to 12:00p Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Sylvia Hartman as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community.
Havurah Shalom & Shir Tikvah Marching in the Pride Parade Sunday, Jul 20th 10:30a to 2:00p Havurah Shalom and Congregation Shir Tikvah are marching in the Portland Pride Parade! ***Havurah Shalom members, Shir Tikvah members, and friends, please RSVP ASAP.*** We'll meet up at our contingent's starting point (NW Davis, between NW 9th & 10th) at/by 10:45 am on Sunday, July 20. Questions? Email tara@havurahshalom.org.
HCAT Book Group Meeting Monday, Jul 21st 7:00p to 8:00p Join us for our first meeting for the book "Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility."
(HYB) Solidarity Shabbat Friday, Jul 25th 5:45p to 8:00p Join Havurah members and friends for a Solidarity Shabbat service and potluck nosh. This is a spiritual space for community members working in solidarity with Palestinians - and for the liberation of all peoples - to come together to pray, build connections, and renew ourselves on Shabbat to continue our justice work. Please review Havurah's Brit Kavod for our community guidelines. Masks strongly encouraged and provided.
(HYB) Shabbat Morning Shabbat, Jul 26th 10:00a to 12:00p Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin (who is on sabbatical until July 1, 2025), this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. Join us afterward for a light community brunch provided by the Lunches and Noshes Committee! Free childcare is provided. For Zoom information, please email info@havurahshalom.org.
